Aug 24, 2021 | Carpet One Floor & Home
As one of the fastest-growing hard surfaces on the market, luxury vinyl products have made it possible to get the look of natural hardwood and stone at a fraction of the cost.
From the white oak look in your kitchen to marble luxury vinyl tile in the bathroom, the innovation of luxury vinyl has made the impossible floors of your dreams a reality for the everyday household. Luxury vinyl is the perfect stress-free flooring for your busy lifestyle.
Whether you're on the fence about investing in luxury vinyl for your home or you've already picked out your dream floors, here are some aspects of luxury vinyl that you should consider first.
Cambridge luxury vinyl by Karndean
Simply put, luxury vinyl flooring is composed of the same four layers that make up traditional vinyl floors. Luxury vinyl, however, has a stronger wear layer, making it considerably thicker than standard vinyl to give it a semi-rigid appearance. Luxury vinyl is sold in multi-ply planks or tiles that perfectly mimic natural hardwood or stone down to the grain pattern and texture.
Luxury vinyl by Invincible H2O
When you're picking out luxury vinyl floors for your space, some things to consider include: what is the moisture level of the room? How much foot traffic will this space get? If you're planning on installing luxury vinyl in a room that's prone to flooding or has above-average moisture, like the laundry room or kitchen, you should opt for waterproof luxury vinyl.
Many luxury vinyl options are, in fact, waterproof or water-resistant. This is one of the biggest draws to the hard surface, especially as the need for durable flooring expands. Want the look of hardwood in your bathroom without the fear of water damage? Looking to put an elevated stone look in the basement but need a softer, waterproof surface for the kids to play on? Luxury vinyl has your back.
Coretec Northwoods Oak luxury vinyl
In addition to being waterproof or water-resistant, luxury vinyl is also highly durable. Able to withstand scratches, pet accidents, kid spills, and stains, luxury vinyl is a top choice for active families. More scratch-resistant than hardwood, luxury vinyl performs well for families with pets and can last up to 20 years if maintained well.
The good news is that luxury vinyl can be installed over almost any subfloor! You can install luxury vinyl over concrete, wood, and even existing vinyl. If you opt for the latter, however, you need to check to ensure that your existing vinyl is in good condition and firmly attached to its subfloor. If the existing vinyl has texture or small, damaged surface areas, installing vinyl on top might be tricky and lead to uneven flooring. It's best to consult with your installation expert so that they can assess your subfloor and approve it before installation.
Coretec Robin Hickory luxury vinyl
Luxury vinyl thickness ranges from 2 millimeters to 8 millimeters depending on the quality of the vinyl. It might be obvious, but the thicker your vinyl, the higher quality it is. Each luxury vinyl plank and tile has four to five layers that vary in thickness. These layers typically include a urethane coating, wear layer, print film layer, vinyl core, and backing.
The most important of these five when considering thickness is the wear layer, as this protects the printed color and pattern from daily wear such as scratches, scuffs, and dents. For households with kids and pets, you should aim to find a thicker wear layer around 20 millimeters thick as these are less likely to wear down and expose the print film layer.
The installation process for luxury vinyl is a simple one. Luxury vinyl planks and tiles can be easily installed using a click-and-lock system thanks to advanced floor engineering. Since the planks and tiles are cut in a particular way, they are quickly pieced together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. Luxury vinyl installation doesn't require bonding to the subfloor and snaps together in a way that locks out moisture.
Even though luxury vinyl installation is a quick process, hiring a professional is always best as it can still be a tricky undertaking. Experienced installers know how to avoid amateur mistakes such as subfloor fasteners sticking up and uneven flooring, plus they will follow manufacturer guidelines to keep your floors in warranty.
Luxury vinyl by Invincible H2O
Unfortunately, luxury vinyl is susceptible to fading, so when placing luxury vinyl floors in rooms with large windows, be sure you're also installing effective window treatments. Some luxury vinyl floors include a UV inhibitor that protects them from sunlight exposure, but these floors can still fade over time. The best way to safeguard your new luxury vinyl floors is using window shades or blinds to block out some of those high noon rays.
When looking for the perfect luxury vinyl floors for your home, style is, of course, important, but you should also take note of the finishes that your vinyl floors have. The best luxury vinyl planks will have a factory-applied urethane coating that protects against household messes. This coating typically allows your floors to go without an additional sealer or finish, so you can simply install without the hassle. However, if your luxury vinyl doesn't have a urethane layer, consider applying a vinyl sealer of your choice that's developed specifically for protecting luxury vinyl planks and tiles. Be sure you check your floor's warranty before using anything, though, as some finishes and sealers will put your floor out of warranty.
Luxury vinyl by Invincible H2O
One of the biggest selling points for luxury vinyl floors is that they're easy to maintain. You only need to regularly sweep and vacuum them to keep them in mint condition. Vacuum or dry-mop your floor's surface to remove any dirt, then wet mop to remove grime. Be sure you're using soft bristle brushes and microfiber cloths so as not to scratch the surface of your luxury vinyl.
While luxury vinyl is a subset of vinyl flooring, this surface type is still a significant upgrade, and the price reflects that. The price is comparable between vinyl planks and vinyl tiles and relies on the quality of the vinyl. Vinyl planks and tiles that better replicate hardwood and natural stone usually correlate with price increases.
Now that you're well versed in luxury vinyl flooring, you're ready to take on the task of installation. Contact our flooring experts at Carpet One Floor & Home for a consultation and free estimate today.
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